falcon



pr 2, 1941. J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 24, 1933 M v M W M w a L a 3 F M 0 0. M N M W m 71 J 6 w SW .Q ..A w w% .mw mm-w km N @N 7 NQ \QN N. v g.

April 22, 1941. J, FALN Re. 21,775

CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Original Filed March 24, 1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 I 94 A =i I- 7? g2; 0.5 J a 106 1 J 105 .93 6 1 54 1 J02 g J07 J01 It I gnaw/Mow M l 2 2 H r p A J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY 5 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed March 24, 195* 22, 1941. FALCON Re. 21,775

CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Original Filed March 24, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Ra I JFO/Y/MO 37460 "5 N- y \b w 5%WMM April 1941. J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY 3 l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed March 24, l93- J. FALCON CONVERT IBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Original Filed March 24. 1933 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 fipanumo 79460 (was J. FALCON CONVERT IBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY April 22, 1941.

S 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed March 24, l93

April 22, 1941. J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY 5 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed March 24, 195

April J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Criginal Filed March 24, 19155 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 glwuwwtm JERO/V/M 0 Fa LCOIV 11 Sheets-Sheet 1O J. FALCON CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Original Filed March 24, 1932 April 22, 1941.

Re. 21,775 I J. FALCON CONVERTI BLE AUTOMOB ILE BODY April 22, 1941.

Original Filed March 24, 1935 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Reissued Apr. 22, 1941 STATES PATENT OFFICE 21,7'z5 CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE BODY Jeronimo Falcon, Buenos Aires, Argentina was No. aicaaio, dated, August 15, 1939. Serial No. 197,947; March 24, 1938. Application for reissue January 3, 1941, Serial No. 373,795

11 mass. A object of the, invention ls-to provide a convertible vtopv construction. for an automobile orsimilar vehicle which willfacilitate the quick w l e con sion of. an. automobile from an open t a closed type and vice versa.

A iurtherobject. ofthe invention is toprovide a construction which is, exceedingly simple in form and eflicient in operation so that a single personmay easily and quickly manipulate the topfpetween its extended, collapsed and inter+ mediate position with. a minimum of effort.

on, still furtherlobject,ofthe invention is to provide. intermediate position for the top whereby theautomobile .may be converted to a so-call d town car arrangement.

A; featurenofthe invention is also the provisio of means operable from the dashboard for automatically raising and extending the top construction. I .7

A furtherobject of. the invention is the. provision of auniqueilve way valve for operating the fluid power means. for raising the top and for circulatingthe fluid means during the nonoperating .periods.

. A still further object of the invention is the provision of vnew and improved means for locking the top at. its extreme. forwardlyextended position and the provision of means for manipulating such locking means. v

.A further feature of. the invention is the provisionof a locking means for locking the top in its intermediate position.

.A still further object of the inventionis the provision otalatchingmeans .for locking the topinthe positions of the top between the intermediate and,the fully extended positionand means whereby such latching. means isautomatically released when the. top isin intermediate position and keeping such latching means out of operation durinathe positions between, the intermediate: position and the fully collapsed posit-ion.-. o M

.A. further featui'eof the invention is the provisionof anewtypeof bows in connection with the laaytongsconstruction wherebypinching of the fabric covering the top is prevented. With the above and other objects inview as will be come apparent from the, detailed description below some preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. in which Figure 1 .isa partial side. elevation ofan automobileshowing the, invention applied thereto.

Figure 2,,is ,a. diagrammatic view illustrating thefluidactuating means for raising the automobile top.

Figure 2}- is a partial cross sectional view illustrating one position of the valve controlling the transmission of fluid.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating another position of the valve.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating a still further position of the valve.

Figure. 3 is an elevational view with parts in section illustrating the means for locking the top to the windshield and also the means for locking the sides of the lazy tongs.

Figure 4 is a par-tial side elevational view with parts in sectionillustrating the means for actuating the lazy tongs andshowing the lazy tongs in extended position. k I

. Figure 5 is. asimilar view illustrating the parts in collapsed position.

Figure .6 .is a partial side elevational view particularly illustrating the manner in which the partsare locked in, order to hold the same in the intermediate, position and thereby secure the town car appearance for the top,

Figure 7 is a side. elevational view of the sliding locking bolt used in looking the top in intermediate position. V

Figure '7 is a cross sectional view of a modified construction for placing the operating fluid under p ssure.-

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the section line 88. of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is across sectional view with parts in elevation of the five way valve.

Figure 10 is -a cross section View taken on the line l0-l0 of Figure 9,.

Figure. 1 1 is a partial plan view of the windshield locking means. 7

Figure 12, is a furtherpartial front elevational view .with portionsin section of the windshield locking means and the operating means therefor.

lgllre, 13. is a side elevational view of one of the receiving sockets for the Windshield locking means. I v I Figure 1 4 is a, front elevational view of a part of the side locking means for locking the lazy tongs. V

Figure 15 is a top plan view of one of the lazy tong extensions used.

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the lazy tongs ex-tension shown in Figure 15. v g

Figure 1'! is afront elevational view of another form of lazy tongsextensionorbow used.

Figure 18 is a side elevational View of the form of bowhshown in Figure 1'7.

Figure 19 is a side elevational view of a further form of lazy tongs extension or bow used.

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of the form of box shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a partial front elevational view of the side locking means utilized in connection with the operating means disclosed particularly in Figure 14.

Figure 22 is a side elevational view of a portion of the automobile body with a modified construction of the top raising means and a modified construction of the fluid operating means.

Figure 23 is a side elevational view upon an enlarger scale of a portion of the top raising mechanism of the modification illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a partial side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 23 in collapsed position.

Figure 25 is a plan view of the four-way valve used in the modification illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 26 is a cross sectional view taken on the section line 26-26 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a front plan view of the three-way valve used in the modification of Figure 22,

Figure 28 is a cross sectional view with parts in elevation taken on the section line 28-28 of Figure 2'7.

Figure 29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified operating cylinder construction, and

Figure 30 is a plan view of the plate attached to the end of the plunger reciprocating in the operating cylinder shown in Figure 29.

In the drawings in which like reference characters denote like parts I designates generally the body of a vehicle, which may be of any desired construction, preferably having an upright member such as a windshield 2 at its forward end which serves as a support for the forward end of the top structure which is indicated generally by the reference character 3. The dashboard of the vehicle is shown at 4 having mounted thereon the valve 5 with an operating connection 6 easily available to the driver of the vehicle. The valve 5 is of a particular construction which will be described more in detail hereinbelow.

The power operating means for raising the top construction comprises a pump 1 which may be of any desired type but is preferably of the rotary type and is driven from a rotating part of the engine of the automobile. The pump I may be directly connected with the rotating part of the engine so as to be driven at all times during the operation of the engine or a clutch 8 may be interposed in such drive so that the rotary pump 1 may be disconnected from the engine at ony desired time. In such case the clutch 8 comprises the cooperating elements 9 and III with the usual meshing cone-shaped discs and the element 9 may freely rotate upon the shaft II of the pump while the element III is keyed thereto. A forkshaped operating arm I2 may be used to shift the element I upon the shaft I I and such fork I 2 may.

be operated from any convenient position by the operator of the vehicle.

The container for the fluid, which is preferably oil, is shown at I3 and such container is connected by the pipe line I4 with the valve as shown particularly in Figure 2. The rotary pump 1 is also connected to the valve 5 by means of the pipe lines I5 and I6. Also extending from the valve 5 are the pipe lines or conduits I1 and I8 which extend rearwardly to the operating cylinders I9 and 20 for raising the top.

With regard to the top raising construction it will be understood that only one set of fittings are shown and hereafter described but that two sets are employed one on each side of the vehicle body. The operating cylinders IS on each side of the vehicle body are operated in unison and the same applies to the cylinders 20. By the admission of oil under pressure through the conduits I1 and I8 the plungers in the cylinders I9 and 20 are operated so as to raise the top. The distribution of the oil under pressure is controlled by manipulating the handle 6 of the valve 5 to the various positions shown in Figures 2 2 and 2.

The valve 5 has as outlined above the conduits I4, I5, I6, I1 and I8 connected to the outer fixed shell and which communicate with corresponding bores provided in such shell. At the center of the valve as shown more particularly in Figure 9 there is a cylindrical rotating portion 2I which is provided with a T-s-haped port 22 having three outlets and an annular port 23 having two outlets which are designed to cooperate with the bores provided in the fixed portion of the valve to which the conduits I5 to I8 are connected. In order to raise the top the valve is first manipulated by the operating member 6 to the position shown in Figure 2 and when the valve is in this position oil will be drawn from the reservoir I3 to the conduit I 4 to the inlet conduit I5 for the pump then through the outlet conduit I6 from the pump and supplied to the conduit I8 under pressure whereby the operating cylinder 20 is set in operation. The valve is then turned to the position shown in Figure 2 by the operating handle 8 and when the valve is in this position the oil will be supplied from the reservoir I3 through the conduit I4 'to the inlet conduit I5 to the outlet conduit I6 and then supplied to the T-shaped port 22 to both of the conduits I1 and I8 which will thereby supply 011 under pressure to the operating cylinders I9 and 20.

Thereafter when the top has been raised to the proper position the valve is turned to the position shown in Figure 2 and in such position it will be noted that oil from the cylinders I 9 and 20 is drawn back through the conduits l1 and I8 through the T-shaped bore 22 to the inlet conduit I5 of the pump and then forced through the outlet conduit I6 through the annular port 23 of the valve to the conduit I4 leading to the reservoir I3. In such position of the valve the cylinders I9 and 28 are quickly evacuated of the oil therein,

If the pump 1 is directly coupled to the engine so that it is in operation at all times when the engine is in operation then the valve 5 may be left in the position shown in Figure 2 since the rotating portion of the pump will, after the operating cylinders I9 and 20 have been evacuated, only operate upon air and no damage will be done and the wear upon the rotary pump is negligible.

If desired however the valve may be turned to the position shown in Figure 2 wherein a closed circuit is set up and in such case the rotary pump will continuously drive the oil around in a closed circuit. In Figure 2 the conduits I7 and I8 are connected by the annular port 23 thereby closing such conduits. At the same time the conduits I4, I5 and I6 are connected by the T-shaped bore 22 so that as the pump draws oil along the inlet conduit I5 such oil is merely circulated through the closed path I5, the pump 1, the outlet conduit I5 and the T-shaped bore 22. Oil is supplied from the reservoir I3 through the conduit It so as to keep such closed circuit constantly supplied with oil. In such a setting of the valve, which is the most efficient when the operating mechanism for the automobile top is inactive, the conduits I! and I8 and the operating cylinders I5 and. arenot-subiectsd: to. a constant vacuum.

thereto a. shaft 24- which extends through the dashboard 4: and on. this shaft 24 the handle member 5 is fixed in any desired way. The dashboard is also providedwith indicia indicating the different positions of the valve. The cylindrical portion 2]. of the valve is held within the fixed J outer shell ofgthe valve 5 by a plate which is fastened to the :fixed portion through. the medium of the screws 26. .The plate 25 is provided with a threaded collar portion 21 which is also spaced from the shaft 24 so as to provide room for the packing 28. The packing 28, is compressed through the medium of the collar member. 29 sliding on the shaft 24 and having a beveled edge 30 tending to compress the packing against the shaft 24. The collar 29 is forced inwardly against the packing by the screw threaded collar or cap 3| which isthreaded uponv the member 2 I. A washer 32 is preferably disposed about the shaft 24 at the base of the packing 2B and a washer 33 preferably of leather is located between the fixed portion of the valve 5 and. the plate 25 in order to prevent any leakage at such point. 7 V I The actual top raising construction will now be described. This comprises the operating cylinders I8 and 20 previously mentioned located at each side of the vehicle body. The top raising action comprises two separate actions. In the first place the general assembly is raised by the operating cylinders 20 to a substantially vertical position and after such vertical position has been attained then the operating cylinders I9 come into action and extend the lazy tong construction to their extended position so that the front of the top may be secured to the windshield. The operating cylinders l9 are fixedly secured to the brackets 34 whichin turn are secured to the central pillars 35 of the vehicle body. On the other hand the operating cylinders 20 are pivotally mounted at their bottoms by the pivot 36 to the sup-porting brackets 31 placed upon the floor 38 of the automobile. There is sufficient resiliency in the conduit l8 at the bend 38 so as to permit the slight tilting required by the cylinder 20. A plunger 40 is secured to the piston reciprocating in the cylinder 20 and such plunger is at its free end pivotally connected at 4| to the link 42. The link 42 is pivotally connected at 43 to the abutment 44 provided upon the upper cap 45 of the operating cylinder l9. The operating cylinder I9 is secured to the bracket 34 through the medium of the cap 45 which is secured thereto by the bolts 46.

The upper end of the link 42 is provided with pin 41 which slides in the slot 48 of the flange member 49 fixed to the tubular member 50.

The tubular member 50 is fixed to a collar member 5| at its lower. end which in turn is provided with ears 52 which are pivoted to the cars 53 upon the cap member 45 at the pivot 54,

The operating cylinder I9 has a plunger 55 connected to the piston 56 and such plunger 55 comprises two articulated portions 56 and 51 which are pivoted together at the point 58. The construction is such that the plunger 55 will be reciprocated within the tubular member 50 when the tubular member 50; is. in its upright position asshown in Figures 1. and 4. Also when the.

plunger .55 has been withdrawninto the cylinder 19 due to the: action of the spring 59 the. pivot point-58 will align. with the pivot 54 and in such case the tubular member 50 together with the upper portion 51 of. the plunger may be swung backwardly and collapsed. into the position shown in Figure 5.

The tube 50 is provided with a longitudinal extending slot 60in which slides one base memberil of the .lazy tongs construction which is fixed by means of rivets or otherwise to the top portionof the plunger portion 51. The other base member .62 of the lazytongs construction is fixedly secured by any desired means to the top of the tube. member 50. .A retraction of the plunger 55 therefore willhave the eifect of separating the base elements; GI: and 62 of the lazy tongs and thereby collapsing. them from the full line position shown inFigure 4.to the dotted line position shown therein. The operation of the plunger 40 of the cylinder 28 will therefore raise the lazy tongs and associated mechanism with the lazy tongs in folded position from the position shown in Figure 51 to the position shown in Figure 6. Then the operation of the plungers 55 of the cylinders 19 will bring the member 6| adjacent the member 62 and thereby extend the lazy tongsv and thereby extend the top over the automobile- During the preliminary raising movement the. pin of the link 42 will ride in the slot 48' from the extreme right-hand position shown. in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figures 4 and 6. The above constitutes the main operating elements of the invention. Some accessory features will not be described. Also pivotally mounted upon the pivot point 54 is a bracket member 53 of the shape particularly shown in Figure 5. Such bracket member 63 has secured thereto fixedly the main bow member 64. A projecting arm-55 is also provided upon the bracket. member 83 to which is pivoted the latch 66. The latch 56 cooperates. with a recess 61 provided in the central pillar 35 so that when the lazy tongs assembly reaches upright position the latch. 66 will snap into the recess 61 due to the action of thespring 68 upon the arm 68 of the latch member thereby locking the lazy tongs assembly in upright position. The arm 69, however, has a cam surface .10 which cooperates with a pin H upon the member 6! so that the latch 66 will not snap into the recess 61 until the plunger 55 has moved the member 6| upwardly and the pin TI releases the arm 59. When the lazy tongs are collapsed due to the action of the plunger 55 then in such case the pin II will release the latch 55 from the recess 61 thereby permitting the backward folding of the lazy tongs assembly.

, This comprises a sliding bolt 12 having a projecting shoulder 13 designed to lock over the member 5|. The bolt .12 cooperates with a recess 14 provided in the pillar 35. The bolt 12 is capable of up and down movement in the member 15 which is secured by screws or any other desired fastening means to the bow member 64. Fixed to the bolt [2 is a. threaded bolt 76 which slides. in .a slot I1 provided in the member'IEV A spring I8 encircles the bolt 16 and tends to urge the bolt 12 towards the back portion I! of the slot 80 provided in the member I5 for the bolt 12. A wing nut 8| is threaded on the bolt I6. Above the member I5 there is provided on the bolt I2 a pin 82 against which the spring 83 acts which abuts at its lower end the top portion of the member 15. Normally therefore the spring 83 tends to maintain the bolt I2 out of the recess I4.

However when'the lazy tongs assembly is to be locked in the so-called town car position then the bolt I2 is pushed downwardly so as to engage the lower end thereof in the recess 14 and the uper end against the member 6| of the lazy tongs. Thereafter the wing nut BI is tightened firmly against the member 15 and the lazy tongs will thereby be prevented from opening. In this position it will be noted that springs I8 and 03 are both in compresesd position. Therefore as soon as wing nut 8| is loosened the bolt I2 will move upwardly due to the spring 83 and at the same time the spring I8 will come into action so as to throw the hook portion I3 clear of the member 6| thereby freeing the lazy tongs. In addition to the above locks there is also provided a lock which also cooperates with the member BI when the lazy tongs are in their extended position. Such lock is shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4 and details thereof in Figures 14 and 21. This lock comprises the latches 84 pivoted at the pivot points 85 upon the main bow 64 and are urged inwardly by the coil springs 86 also fixed upon the central bow 64. As may be seen from Figure 21 particularly the latches are of such form that when the member BI is urged upwardly such member will act against a lower edge of the latch 84 and force it outwardly against the pressure of the spring 86 and when the member 6| reaches the position shown particularly in Figures 3 and 21 the hook-shaped portion 87 of the latch will snap under the bottom edge of the member 6| thereby locking the member GI and accordingly the lazy tongs in extended position.

In order to release the latches so as to permit collapsing of the lazy tongs each latch is provided with an extending arm 88 to which is pivotally connected the operating rods 89 which have at their overlapping central portions as shown particularly in Figure 14 rack teeth 90. The rack teeth mesh with a gear 9| provided with an operating handle 92. Upon rotation of the handle 92 in clockwise direction as shown in Figure 14 the latches 84 will be pivoted upon the pivot points 85 against the action of the spring 86 and the member 6| will be released from the latches so that the lazy tongs may be collapsed.

The lazy tongs construction comprises the pivotally connected links 93 which in turn have one of their ends pivoted to the members GI and 62, the pivotally connected links 94 which have one of their ends connected to the free ends of the links 93 and the pivotally connected links 95 and. 96 which have their free ends in turn pivotally connected to the free ends of the links 94. The link 96 is in reality only a half a link while the link 95 extends forwardly beyond the pivot point between the links 95 and 96 and has its free end connected to the bar 91 constituting the forward end of the top. The bar 91 has secured thereto spaced eyelet blocks 98 shown particularly in Figures 3, 11 and 13. The blocks 98 are secured to the bar 91 by the screws 99 or any other suitable fastening means. Each block 98 is provided with a transversely extending aperture I00, which is conically shaped and flares in the direction towards the center of the car as shown particularly in Figure 11.

Mounted upon the upper border of the windshield 2 are the transversely extending locking bars WI. The ends of the bars IOI are tapered as shown at I02 of Figure 11. Bearings for the rods IOI are provided at I03 and also at the central portion. The overlapping inwardly directed ends I04 of the bars IOI are provided with rack teeth I05 with which cooperates a gear member I06 which is operated by the handle member I01. Upon rotation of the handle I0'I in a clockwise direction as is clearlyevident from Figure 12 the bars IOI will have their outer ends I02 retracted inwardly and will thereby release the same from the eyelet blocks 98 and upon withdrawal of the rods IOI from the slots I00 the forward bar 91 of the top construction is entirely released from the windshield thereby permitting a collapsing of the top. A locking of the bar 91 to the windshield follows the reverse order.

Instead of the usual bow construction extending entirely across the vehicle top a series of partial bows are used. Extending from. the forward end of one of the links 94 there is an extension I08. This extension I08 is shown particularly in Figures 17 and 18. The partial bow has a flattened portion I09 provided with apertures I I0 for the reception of screws or other securing means for attaching the extension to the link 94. At the free end there is provided an inwardly extending portion III. This extension is mainly designed for throwing the fabric covering clear of the lazy tongs construction so as to positively prevent any pinching thereof by the lazy tongs.

Extending from one of the links 93 is a partial bow extension H2. This extension H2 is shown particularly in Figures 19 and 20 and comprises a flattened portion II3 having screw receiving apertures II4 for attaching the same to the link 93. The portion of the extension II2 extending from the flattened portion H3 is curved in the manner shown at H5 in Figures 19 and. 20. This extension serves not only to throw the fabric clear of the lazy tongs but also serves as a support for the fabric when the lazy tongs are in extended position.

In addition to these extensions I08 and H2 there is also provided the extension II6 located at the top of the tubes 50. The extension H6 is of the form shown in Figures 15 and 16 and comprises the flattened portion II'I having the screw apertures II8 therein which may accommodate bolts if desired for securing the extension IIB to the tubes 50. The free ends of the extensions H6 are formed as shown at H9 in Figures 15 and 16. This extension serves to throw the fabric clear of the lazy tongs and prevent pinching and pass the fabric efficiently behind the rear seat with appropriate folding thereof.

There is also provided in the top construction the usual back bow I20 pivoted at IZI to the side frame of the vehicle or at any other point desired. Pivot-ed to this back bow I20 is the supplementary bow I22. There is no operating mechanism provided for positively operating the bows I20 and I 22. The reason for this is that as the lazy assembly is raised from a collapsed position then in such case the fabric itself will act asa power means for raising the back bow I20 and the supplementary bow I 22. Upon a collapse of the top construction gravity will bring the back bow I20 and the supplementary bow I22 to the collapsed position.

The fabric top covering is indicated at I23 and is secured to the "tonneau I24 in any desired manher and is secured to the forward bar 91 in any desired manner such as by tacking, adhesives,

etc. i

"It is believed that the operation of the device is self-evident from the above description. Upon placing the valve in the position shown in Figure 2 the plungers 40 are operated and the lazy tongs assembly is brought into upright position and then when such assembly is in upright position the valve -5 isturned to the position shown in Figure 2 and in such case the plungers 55 are operated. so as to extend the lazy tongs. Then the valve 5'i's placed in the position shown in Figure 2 so as to evacuate the oil from the operating cylinders I9 and 20. Such positioning 0! the valve in order to secure evacuation of the cylinders I9 and is, however, not done until after the latches 04 have snapped into position so as to lock the lazy tongs in extended position and theforward bar has been secured to the windshield 2 by means of the locking bars IOI andthe cooperating sockets 98. After such locking of the top structure then the cylinders I9 and 20 are evacuated by placing the valve in the position shown in Figure 2. After the cylinders I9 and 20 have been evacuated, which takes an exceedingly short time the valve may be, if desired, left in the position of Figure 2, or is preferably placed in the position shown in Figure 2 in which case a closed circuit of oil is set up as previously described. The pumps I may be disl connected from the rotating engine part by the clutch 8 if desired.

A preliminary automatic locking of the lazy tongs assembly in upright position is accomplished through the medium of the latch 66. The latch -66 requires no manual operation since its operation is entirely automatic.

An exact synchronization of the operation of the valve 5 with the operation of the lazy tongs assembly is not particularly necessary since if the valve 5 should be turned into the position shown in Figure 2 before the tube 50 and associated parts has reached the upright position shown in Figure 1 then in such case the plunger 55 would not be operated since it would be locked in position due-to the pivotal connection between the plunger elements 56 and 51 at 58. However pressure would not be built up in the cylinder I9 due to the fact that such pressure is being relieved by the operation of the plunger 40 and as soon as the tube 50 is in upright position and the plunger elements 56 and 52 are aligned then in such case the plunger 55 may operate for extending the lazy tongs. Therefore as apparent the preliminary position of the valve as shown in Figure 2* .may be eliminated and the valve placed originally in the position shown in 'Figure 2*. It is also possible to merely have two positions of the valve, that shown inFigure 2 which will operate in the manner indicated above and the modification an" arc shaped cam track I25, which cooperates with a roller I26 fixed to the plunger 40. The operating cylinder :20 is in this case fixedly secured to the floor 38 .by'the plate I121. The arc-shaped cam track I25 is fixedly secured to the tube 50 in the position indicated and in this case the cylinder 20 may also be fixedly secured to the cylinder I9 by the bracket I28. The operation is believed to be self-evidentfrom "the showing particulaily in Figure 23 where the extended position of "the lazy tongs assembly is shown in full lines while the collapsed position is shown in dotted lines.

In this modification instead of one valve controlling the entire operation there is provided two valves upon the dashboard 4 as valves I29 and [30. Valve I29 is a four-way valve as shown particularly in Figures 25 and 26 and valve I is a three-way valve as shown in Figures 27 and 28.

The connections are as follows and as shown particularly in Figure 22. A conduit I3I leads from the oil reservoir I3 to one port of the valve I29. A pump inlet conduit I32 is connected to another port of the valve I29. A third port of the valve I29 is connected by conduit I33 130' the outlet port of the pump I. The fourth port of the valve 129 is connected by conduit I34 to a port in the threeway valve I30. The other two ports of the threeway valve I30 are connected by conduits I and I33 with the operating cylinders I9 and 20 respectively. The valves I29 and I30 are generally constructed in the same manner as the previously described valve 5 and are equipped with appropriate operating handles and indicia. The four-way valve is only turned into two positions and in order to control the same there is provided a pin and slot construction I31. The same applies to the three-way valve, which is therefore also provided with a pin and slot construction I38 for likewise limiting the two positions in which the valves may be placed.

The control of the oil pressure as applied to the cylinders I9 and 20 in this modification is as follows. When conduit I3I is connected with conduit I32 and conduit I34 is connected with conduit I33 by the four-way valve I29 and conduit I34 is connected to both of the conduits I35 and I36 by the three-way valve then in such case pressure will be supplied to the cylinders I9 and 20 and the lazy tongs assembly will be raised. However an actuation of the cylinders I9 and 20 may be accomplished in sequence by proper manipulation of the three-way valve I30 and an evacuation of the cylinders I9 and 20 may be accomplished by a reversal of flow through the various conduits controlled by the four-way valve I29. By manipulating the two valves I29 and I30 a variety of operations may be secured.

The operation of the above construction is essentially similar to the previous modification.

The various locking features as well as the prevention of the pinching of the canvas top is also present in this modification.

In the modification of the operating cylinders illustrated in Figures 29 and 30 the cylinder casing is shown at I49 in which reciprocates a plunger I4I having secured thereto at its'end a plate I42. The top of the cylinder is closed by the cap 45 mounted upon the bracket 34 which in turn is secured to the pillar 35. Extending between the plate I42 and the cap 45 is the spring I43. The plate I42 is provided with a series of notches I44 about the periphery thereof.

Below the plate I42 in the cylinder I is an upright floating piston indicated generally by the reference-character I 45". This floating piston comprises a main body I46 and the washers I41 placed upon opposite sides of the body I46. The Washers are preferably made of leather. The washers I 41 and the main body I46 are apertured so as to receive the bolt I48. The head I49 of the bolt is disposed on the side towards the plate I42 and secures one of the washers I41 against the body I46. The bolt I48 is threaded at its other end and receives the nut I50. The threaded portion II of the bolt is sufficiently long so as to serve as a stop and prevent the floating piston from blocking the feed pipe I52 for the oil. The feed pipe I52 corresponds to any one of the conduits I1, I8, I35 and I36.

A metallic washer I53 is inserted between the lower leather washer I41 and the nut I50. If desired a metallic washer may be interposed between the head I40 of the bolt and the upper leather washer I41.

With the construction just described the floating piston I45 will move upwardly and downwardly on the same level with the oil and thereby avoid any formation of a vacuum. The notches in the plate I42 permit the air to circulate freely upon both sides of the plate. The construction will not only make it easier to draw out the oil from the cylinders but will also make the operation of lowering the top easier because the plunger rod I4I, which corresponds to any of the plunger rods 40 and 55, may reciprocate easily in the cylinder.

It will be noted that the collapsing movement of the lazy tongs is confined to substantially a horizontal plane and therefore gravity does not influence their collapsing movement. The spring I43 is compressed when the top is raised and the lazy tongs extended and therefore constantly exerts a force tending to collapse the lazy tongs. After the top has been raised or extended it is secured in its raised or extended position by the clamping means I01, the oil which was pumped into the cylinder I40 to cause extension of the lazy tongs is drained therefrom and the piston I45 is thereby lowered to a position where it oifers no interference to subsequent lowering of the rod I4I. When it is subsequently desired to lower the top the clamping means I01 is released and the force exerted by the spring I43 becomes effective to assist in collapsing the lazy tongs.

The spring I43 is preferably strong enough to initiate collapsing movement of the lazy tongs and to move them a substantial fraction of their total collapsing movement without the aid of manual pressure.

When the means shown in Fig. 29 is used in conjunction with the rod 40 it functions similarly to initiate swinging movement of the bow member 64 to its lowered position. Therefore, it becomes obvious that by operating both plunger rods 40 and 55 by means such as shown in Fig. 29 the top may be completely collapsed by spring pressure.

In Figure '7 there is illustrated a modified construction which. may take the place of the pump, the operating mechanism for the pump and the reservoir. Such modification comprises what is termed a master cylinder and has a cylinder I55 having a nipple I56 at the bottom thereof to which the conduits leading to the operating cylinders may be directly connected. The cylinder I55 is closed at the end opposite to the nipple I56 by a plate I51 having a threaded aperture therein through which extends the threaded plunger I58. The end of the plunger within the cylinder I55 has secured thereto the piston I59 having the usual leather washers I60. A coupling member I6I comprising a socket I62 and a threaded end I63 is preferably used for securing the piston to the inner end of the plunger I50. A nut I64 clamps the plates I65 about the leather washers I60.

The other end of the plunger I58 has secured thereto a pin I66 which slides in the diagrammatically opposed slots I61 of the sleeve member I60. The sleeve member I68 is operated by means of a reversible motor not shown and which is connected to one end of the sleeve I60. As will be noted a rotation. of the sleeve I66 will cause a rotation of the plunger I 58 and a motion inwardly or outwardly of the piston attached to the plunger within the cylinder I55. In this manner the fiuid preferably oil is placed under pressure and forced to the operating cylinders or such fluid is withdrawn by suction from the operating cylinders. The construction shown in Figure 7 constitutes a simplified construction for operating the operating cylinders and thereby raising the top.

It is understood that the modifications above described are preferred constructions and should not be interpreted as limiting the invention.

I claim:

1. A top for an automobile and the like comprising a lazy tong device, means for extending said lazy tong device, said means comprising a cylindrical casing, a plunger reciprocating. in said casing, a plate fixed t0 the end of said plunger within said casing, means upon said plate permitting a free passage of air to either side thereof, a floating piston positioned below said plate and an inlet upon said casing through which oil under pressure may be supplied to said casing.

2. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, separate means for locking said lazy tong construction at each end in its extended position, means for pivoting said bar and means for automatically locking said bar when in substantially vertical position.

3. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, means for pivoting said bar, and a pivoted latch connected to said bar for automatically locking said bar when in substantially vertical position.

4. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, separate means for locking said lazy tong construction at each end in its extended position, means for pivoting said bar, and manually operated means connected to said bar for locking said bar when in substantially vertical position 5. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a tube pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction a fluid operated plunger for extending said lazy tong construction reciprocating in said tube,

said plunger having articulated portions, a piston connected to said plunger, a cylinder in which said piston reciprocates, a pivoted link connecting said tube and said cylinder and a second fluid operated plunger coacting with said link to swing said tube from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position.

6. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a tube pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, a fluid operated plunger for extending said lazy tong construction reciprocating in said tube, said plunger having articulated portions, a piston connected to said plunger, a cylinder in which said piston reciprocates, an arc shaped cam track mounted upon said tube and a second fluid operated plunger coacting with said cam track to swing said tube from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position,

'7. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, means for pivoting said bar, a bow member connected to said bar, a slidingly mounted bolt on said bow member cooperating with a fixed recess in said automobile body, resilient means nor mally holding said bolt out of said recess, a shoulder on said bolt cooperating with said lazy tong construction to lock the same when in collapsed and vertical position and a. second resilient means cooperating with said bolt to hold said shoulder normally out of contact with said lazy tong construction.

8. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, means for pivoting said bar, a pivoted latch connected to said bar for automatically locking said bar when in substantially vertical position and means upon said lazy tong construction cooperating with said latch to render said latch inoperative when said lazy tong construction is collapsed.

9. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said construction, means for pivotin said bar, a pivoted latch connected to said bar for automatically locking said bar when in substantially vertical position, a cam surface upon said latch and a pin upon said lazy tong construction cooperating with said cam surface to render said latch inoperative when said lazy tong construction is collapsed.

10. A collapsible top for an automobile having a body comprising a lazy tong construction, a bar pivoted to said body to swing from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical position carrying said lazy tong construction, means for extending said lazy tong construction, fluid pressure means for pivoting said bar, fluid pressure means for operating said means for extending said lazy tong construction and means on said bar for automatically locking said bar when in substantially vertical position.

11. The combination of a convertible top for vehicles and power means for extending the top, said means comprising a cylindrical casing, a rod extending into said casing, said rod being connected to said top in such manner that movement of said rod outwardly of the casing causes raising of the top, a spring in said casing urging movement of said rod inwardly of said casing, a floating piston in said casing adapted to freely abut said rod, means for pumping liquid into said casing to move said piston in a direction to move said rod outwardly of said casing and to compress said spring, means for securing said top in its extended position, and means for draining the liquid from said casing while said top is secured in its extended position to retract said piston whereby said rod is free to move in a top collapsing direction under pressure of said spring upon subsequent release of said securing means.

JER Q ALCON, 

